English revolution?

So now the great crackdown has begun. And those responsible for the recent spate of rioting in the UK, and who the police were able to catch, are now due to face justice. And rightly so as events of recent days are truly shocking. However, those caught will only ever represent a tiny minority of those responsible. The true victims will never receive recompense and no doubt the government will laud praise onto each other for having saved the day. Really?

True, many possibly most of the individuals involved in recent rioting are opportunists. And these individuals are the greatest losers as they have discarded a future of hope for a handful of material goods and I have little sympathy for them. I do believe in accountability for actions where it is appropriate, and privileged opportunists deserve little sympathy. However, I expect that those who initiated the rioting in the first place are not just opportunists. They are the disillusioned, discarded and disenfranchised fraction of society; an ever growing proportion in our increasingly economically-disparate society. And I suspect that the rioting stemmed from pure angst, rage and frustration. Years of oppression have resulted in a smoldering rage which festered like cancer, fed by economic disparity and privation.

Which leads to my greatest fear. That recent events will be viewed solely as 'wanton criminality'. And what exactly does that mean other than our leaders have no clue about the cause(s) or appropriate solutions other than blunt reactive measures which will likely only inflame the situation; hardly a comforting thought! For those most driven by angst and frustration are those at the very bottom of society. Educated by the dregs of a state system disinterested in equality; the limited education on offer a poor strategy designed to delay release into society of these unfortunates prior to working age. Housed in cramped conditions, a melange of angst, distrust and disillusionment. Where poverty is rife and food, shelter, clothes and even shoes remain in limited supply. These unfortunates have little to hope for, and less to care about. So viewed in this light, perhaps the threat of imprisonment isn't such a bad option. Three square meals a day, housing in an environment where minimum space requirements are imposed (a luxury not ensured by private accommodation) and an opportunity for state sponsored education. And to assist in the rehabilitation, localisation close to the family home, and likely in association with other similar unfortunates. Food, shelter, clothes and buddies; quite possibly considerably better than what is on offer in impoverished communities suffering from privation. And in short, a breeding pool for further angst, frustration and disillusionment.

This collective rage should be viewed as angst, but also a cry for help. Although these individuals are responsible for significant destruction, if there is to be any hope for the future, it is imperative that those most responsible for starting the riots play a role in the rebuilding process. Exchange the festering cancer of imprisonment for community service in the rebuilding. If these individuals are allowed to invest in the future they will be given value, and hopefully pride in the society in which they live. Imprisonment simply represents exclusion and isolation merely adding fuel to the fire.

This is Britain's 'French revolution' moment. Egalite, liberte et fraternite. Equality, liberty and fraternity. As difficult as it may be to offer empathy in response to the destruction we have observed, empathy is not wholly altruistic, this is investment in our collective futures. Revenge and retribution will only exacerbate the problem, at best, merely delaying future recurrences. The coalition must decide whether to invest in the future and integrate the disenfranchised back into society, or 'let them eat cake' in prison at our collective peril. I pray they choose wisely but my instinct suggests they really don't understand.

London: summer of discontent

In yet another policy flip, Cameron has now decided to return to Britain to deal with current events. Yet it feels more like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are in charge. Bankers ruined the economy, Fred Goodwin got away with just short of murder yet Cameron and the coalition chose to strip the public of effective policing, healthcare, pensions, job security, education for our children and all reasons for hope. This government is clearly out of touch. At least Ed Miliband chose the UK for his holiday. Cameron chose to take his family abroad. Actions speak louder than words. Boost the Italian economy, nothing wrong in Britain.

The current government had their educations for free, will retire with generous pensions and many of whom used public expenses as a spare bank account largely with impunity. These are not individuals who understand what life means for the general public. They are blinded by privilege.

Whilst there can be no excusing the behaviour of recent days in the looting and destruction that we have seen, leaders stating that 'this is criminality pure and simple' terrifies me. Angst and simmering tensions once ignited will be much harder to extinguish.

The sad and terrifying truth, despite the destruction and of recent events, is that we've largely been lucky. The disenfranchised, disillusioned and discarded youth have largely vented their frustration and angst against what they themselves will likely never enjoy. Affluence, stability and success. In light of the ruthless austerity measures and spending cuts by the coalition government, what hope do our youth have for the future? A lifetime of struggle without any real hope for better days ahead. This is not about expecting the world on a plate; only the rich and affluent expect (and experience) that. It's about having hope for better things. Education, job security, a home to call their own, healthcare to maintain them, police to protect them and a pension for their twilight years. They will enjoy none of these things. They will spend their lives struggling to pay for the mistakes of the previous generations. And previous generations (their government) seem more focused on personal gain than communal sacrifice.

What if the angst and rage had been turned against the public? Could hospitals have handled the burden? Our prisons are already full. And actually, does locking criminals up actually rehabilitate them or is it merely a rug temporarily placed over the problem? Yet I digress. Who really believes that all of the wrongdoers will eventually be caught? Who believes justice will be done? If we want to deal with the criminals, perhaps we should start with our leaders who spent years helping themselves to the proverbial cookie jar and taking from the poor whilst protecting the rich.

I wish I could feel hope that Camerons return represents change for better, but in reality I fear the worst. Cameron has returned to face what will likely (& hopefully) be the biggest challenge of his term. But the solution requires understanding. Proactive solutions will prove far more important that mere reactionary measures. Now more than ever, we require substantial social change. I hope for once, our leaders understand.

Tottenham tension & London riots

From the outset, there can be no justification for the violence, looting and destruction of recent days in Tottenham and other London boroughs! Angst with current government policy is readily comprehensible given the UK coalition governments indecision, incompetence, lack of leadership and back-tracking on ill-advised courses of action. However the riots in Tottenham only cause further pain to a community which is already suffering. And those who are hurt are ordinary people who through no fault of their own now find their lives and livelihoods shattered by the collective angst of the ignored and criminal opportunists.


But the coalition must shoulder much of the blame for these events. It is time they stand up, acknowledge their failings and demonstrate leadership moving forwards, not just for Tottenham but for all of the UK. Tottenham MP David Lammy had warned of tensions following the shooting of Mark Duggan and had spoken of building tension in the area. Had his words been heeded and leadership demonstrated, it is likely that this entire bout of unpleasantness could have been avoided. Instead, as usual, the coalition ignored the warnings and proceeded with the usual strategy of reactive responsiveness rather than proactive leadership. Perhaps we should view this as a warning of things to come. If the coalition were unable to proactively resolve building tensions in Tottenham despite the warnings, then what hope is there for the future of the UK under Cameron?


When the coalition were busy imposing funding cuts to students, heavy handed policing measures were rapidly employed to suppress the masses. Austerity measures which impose the burden of recovery onto the poor whilst protecting the rich are similarly building tensions within the UK. And recently, David Cameron and George Osborne have made suggestions of reducing the top tax rate for high earners as early as next year. Is it any wonder that tensions are building to a fever pitch? Britain may not be as reactive as our latin counterparts. We are fortunate not to be subjected to wildcat strikes as are sometimes observed in Italy and France. But this does not mean that the public will withstand oppression indefinitely. And when the British respond, the results are likely to be severe. Such as recent events in Tottenham. But to paraphrase Churchill, 'is this merely the end of the beginning'? Remember the riots in Paris in 2005? Warning signs had been building for years of growing tensions which were ignored culminating in a 4-month state of emergency imposed on Paris. Yet, proactive leadership to deal with developing problems could probably have resolved this disaster.

So too England. Now is the time to recognise the cuts from austerity measures are too sharp, too deep and too fast. Austerity measures may be required, but they must be implemented with equanimity. The rich benefited the most from the years of plenty so it is only right that they now pay their fair share in the economic recovery. But recent cuts threaten our social services, the NHS and the security of the UK. Those paying for the recovery may have no retirement to hope for as the pension pot is whittled away whilst. Our children lose reason for hope of better things from the increasingly vanishing option of affording a university education, which thanks to Cameron & co has become a privilege, not a right. The time to act is now before Britain becomes Greece. If Britain can't handle policing a single London borough, what hope for the UK next year with the Olympics?

If simmering tensions remain ignored, the future looks bleak indeed. The time for a leader is now and Cameron, if you're not up for it, please stand down and offer the position to someone who is. This is not the time for misguided pride, it's time to realise that real people could die very real deaths. Unnecessarily.

This is a democracy; listen to the people, listen to the majority. Act with equanimity and history will remember you kindly. If not, God help us.